Among Those Suited

Writers: Aaron, Halyonix
Date Posted: 14th June 2024

Characters: S'kand, M'trel
Description: M'trel has a chance to chat with S'kand about leadership
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 7 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: N'vanik

Notes:
*****

Most dragonriders hated hidework.

M'trel loved it.

Any time N'vanik asked him to handle some numbers or some words, M'trel felt like he was the most useful to the Wing. To the Weyr. He had a mind for logistics, not shotcalling. He could see how the Wings could most efficiently be executed but not in the moment. But he supposed that everyone had their strengths. This was his.

Noruith landed neatly on the ledge. M'trel dismounted and retrieved the hides he was instructed to deliver. It would be a quick delivery, honestly, but it also offered M'trel a chance to talk with another Wingleader in a less demanding setting, since he usually only interacted with them right before Threadfall.

"Wingleader S'kand?" he called, even though he knew Noruith had announced them to Jagobroth.

"Oh," S'kand chuckled warmly as he came out to meet M'trel. "You can just call me S'kand. Come on in. I've got a pot of klah going. Help yourself if you'd like."

"Much appreciated," M'trel answered. He set the hides down on the cleared table and then went to help himself to the warm drink. "I won't take up too much of your time this morning, Wing--- er, S'kand. N'vanik wanted me to bring over some of the updated drill charts. I think he mentioned them at the last Wingleaders' meeting, that we were trying some new patterns?"

"That's right," said S'kand. "Have a seat. Let's see what we've got." Poor M'trel did not seem that much more at ease than he had when he had come in, but S'kand could work on it.

The brownrider spread out the charts on the table and then took a seat to enjoy a sip of klah. "There aren't too many changes, S'kand. We didn't want to overwhelm the Wings with entirely new placements." He pointed to the top one, illustrating how one green was moving forward to cover a brown during a crossover maneuver. "Little moves like this," he explained. "I don't imagine they'll be too hard to implement."

"I shouldn't think so!" S'kand agreed. His eyes flitted here and there across the chart, and he nodded and pondered here and there as he went. "Yes, this is very well done, M'trel."

There was a sparkle of pride that flickered through M'trel's dark eyes at the praise. "Thank you, si-- S'kand." They went over the rest of the changes for the next few minutes, back and forth discussing the pros and cons of each move. Overall though, it was a confirming collaboration -- M'trel had the logistics right and S'kand pointed out why.

By the time they were done discussing the moves, M'trel had worked up the courage to ask, "If I can pick your brain about leadership for a moment?" A pause, waiting for permission, and then, "When you became Wingleader, what was it like?"

"Like? Hmm." S'kand pondered for a moment. He was not sure that it was 'like' anything. Not to say that it was some singular unparalleled experience... "N'vanik asked me to lead a wing, and I said I would. I was proud. And then I got to work, I suppose. Is there something in particular about the whole thing that's on your mind?"

M'trel nodded but his expression looked...doubtful. "I...have never thought of myself as a leader," he admitted. "Honestly, does any leader look at themselves in a mirror and think they were made for it?" Of course, the moment he asked that, he realized that yes, there were indeed some leaders who did exactly that and those were usually the bad ones, the ones too full of their own ego to think beyond their stature and ambitions. He didn't think S'kand was one of those types though.

As if reading M'trel's mind, S'kand said,

"Some do... And among those who do, those who are actually suited for it are, perhaps, few and far between. But now we have come to live in a time when leaders are tested with fire and ash, and... well, those who are more pride than prowess are less likely to live long enough to make their vision real.

"The real question is less how strongly you feel you were made for it and more how willing you are to do the work. And here you are, doing the work."

That answer seemed to mollify M'trel's worries. Here he was, indeed, doing the work. Was that all it honestly took to be a leader? No, there was more but the work and the willingness to do it was a start. "I suppose it also takes a certain willingness to see something succeed," he added. "And what path you take to get there."

"It's true that some might have a better innate sense of direction, but that doesn't mean those who worked hard to learn the path know it any less," said S'kand. "Or that they're any less qualified to show someone else the way. You're spot onâ€" you can only learn the trail if you're brave enough to take that first step."

}: Were you expecting a different answer? :{ Noruith queried when he felt his rider's disappointment.

**No, I think...I was hoping for something more...concrete. Set in stone. Formulaic.**

}: Something easy, :{ Noruith remarked. }: Something easy for a thing that is not easy at all. :{

**It helps my ego if you aren't always so smart, Nori,** M'trel teased lightly. But the dragon was right. Being a leader had no formula or easy path. It was a lot of hard work and learning from others who were also learning how to do it better. "Thank you si--S'kand," M'trel said. "That does make me feel a bit better about fumbling around myself."

"I'm always happy to help however I can," said S'kand. "I suppose that's how I found myself in this position to begin with." He smiled.

"Guess that makes two of us," M'trel answered with a laugh. "Thanks again. I'd better head out before they add more to my desk and mess up my organization." The additional work he didn't mind -- the disruption of his organizational system he did mind.

"Care to join me for drinks later?" asked S'kand. "No pressure."

The offer honestly surprised M'trel. He started to turn it down -- he had work to do, he was just a brownrider, he had half a dozen excuses that he could use -- but then he straightened. Remembered that S'kand had done away with the formalities. Realized that this was what M'trel wanted in a way, to be seen as a peer. "I'd...yes, that sounds like a good time. After dinner?"

"Perfect!" said S'kand. "I'll see you then."

Last updated on the June 16th 2024

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